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Abstract

The author begins by presenting two experiences of what he terms “dazzling darkness,” one in a Christian context and the other in a Buddhist context. He then looks at the Buddhist traditions in India and China to propose an explanation for the experience in the Buddhist context. In so doing, he connects darkness to suffering and light to Nirvana and Buddha-nature. Then he turns to the mystical writings of Chiara Lubich to propose an explanation for the Christian experience and its relation to suffering and the luminosity of God in suffering through Jesus Forsaken. In the section on the writings of Chiara Lubich, the author also explores (1) her experiences of the relational arising and mutual indwelling of beings, and the indwelling of the light and love of God in the darkness of suffering existence, and (2) the experiences of Buddha-nature, dependent arising, mutual indwelling, and the identity of Nirvana and samsāra in Buddhism. He proposes that while there are certainly differences, considering dazzling darkness on the experiential level provides a platform for a deeper dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity.